Daily Reflection Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time

 In our First Reading, Saul was deeply impressed by David’s great exploit in killing Goliath and took him into his palace. A close friendship developed between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son. We’re told earlier that “Jonathan had become as fond of David as if his life depended on him; he loved him as he loved himself.” Jonathan, as a sign of his affection, gave David his own mantle, his military dress, his sword, his bow and his belt. David was now transformed from a shepherd into a soldier.

         As they returned from David’s famous victory, women came out singing and dancing. Because of Saul’s insecurity and jealousy, he took offence that they were being feted together and that David was getting more attention. A seething resentment against David grew in Saul’s heart to the point where he intended to kill David. He’s apparently afraid that David will not only upstage him, but take leadership away from his son and heir, Jonathan.

         We see Saul trying to get Jonathan involved in killing David. Jonathon, however, will have none of it and he tells David about his father’s intentions and later he speaks to his father on David’s behalf. This demonstrates Jonathan’s integrity and his admiration for David. Saul concedes and swears not to try to kill David. We need to remember, however, that Saul has made oaths in the past and not kept them. He won’t keep this one for very long either.

         Jealousy can be a terrible thing. It’s closely linked with our own insecurity and difficulty in self-acceptance. It’s very challenging for us to see other people excelling in the things of which we’re proud. If we could see ourselves the way God sees us and love ourselves the way God loves us, we’d understand that only God’s glory and the building up of the Kingdom are all that really matter. 

         Turning to our Gospel, we see that after accounts of the rejection of Jesus by the Pharisees and Herodians, we have today’s positive account of how the crowds still follow Jesus and how he heals them. More than in the other Gospels, Mark highlights the healing ministry of Jesus. Mark’s Gospel begins with four different references to Jesus’ healing others. It’s a sign that the Kingdom of God is at work and it shows how the healing works of Jesus are reflective of the Father’s desire that everyone be healed.

         No wonder that crowds flock towards Jesus. The “unclean spirits” see it for what it is, even if the disciples and the crowds are less perceptive. We must never forget that any assistance we offer to the sick and the infirm marks us as disciples of Jesus and partners with him in working for the realization of the God’s kingdom.